Manager, Cloud & Research Computing Platforms

Manager, Cloud & Research Computing Platforms

Join the University of Chicago as the Manager of Cloud & Research Computing Platforms to lead a technical team of systems administrators and research software engineers in a cutting‑edge particle physics research environment. You will report directly to the Principal Investigator of the MANIAC Lab, develop high‑level programmatic plans, and translate them into detailed technical roadmaps that advance modern cloud‑native systems, federated operations, and AI‑assisted monitoring for high‑energy physics investigations.

Base salary: $120,000 – $135,000 per year.

• Lead the MANIAC Lab’s distributed computing and IT systems team, overseeing Linux systems, cloud‑native services, storage, networking, and cybersecurity.
• Support team development through training, mentorship, and continuous learning opportunities.
• Develop clear technical plans, team goals, and operational milestones across all Lab‑supported computing platforms.
• Partner with the Principal Investigator to implement strategic upgrades and ensure reliable, efficient operation of the Lab’s cyberinfrastructure.
• Guide modernization efforts, including automation, cloud‑native adoption, and improved data‑delivery workflows.
• Collaborate with U.S. ATLAS, IRIS‑HEP, and University partners to support shared operations and expand research capabilities.
• Monitor system performance and apply proactive measures to improve reliability and scalability.
• Engage with researchers to understand computing needs and deliver solutions that support data‑intensive science.
• Ensure adherence to best practices for network operations and cybersecurity.
• Manage a single team’s progress by maintaining accurate logs and ensuring all projects receive necessary oversight and approvals.
• Implement approved best practices and information technology policies that result in the highest quality systems administration.
• Manage the creation of standards and procedures to maintain production servers that run the operating system, including installation, configuration, and maintenance of operating systems and utility software.
• Perform other related work as needed.

Education: College or university degree in a related field.

Work Experience: At least 7 years of experience in a related job discipline.

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field in the physical sciences.
• Experience managing large‑scale computing systems in academic, research, or enterprise environments.
• Demonstrated leadership of technical staff and successful delivery of complex cyberinfrastructure projects.
• Strong background in scientific or high‑performance computing, distributed systems, and emerging cloud‑native technologies.
• Experience implementing modern operational practices such as container orchestration, automation, and advanced data‑delivery services.
• Familiarity with secure, policy‑compliant operations, including network security and identity management.
• Experience supporting large CPU/GPU clusters, multi‑petabyte storage systems, and data‑intensive workflows.
• Proven ability to evaluate and integrate new technologies to enhance performance and efficiency.
• Record of effective collaboration with external partners and participation in professional technical communities.
• Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with researchers, technical staff, and institutional partners.
• Ability to operate in a dynamic research environment and stay current with advances in scientific and cloud‑native computing.
• Proficiency in managing Unix/Linux systems, distributed storage platforms (e.g., Ceph), and high‑performance networking.
• Familiarity with container orchestration and cloud‑native technologies, including Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines, and Git Ops methodologies.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities, with experience diagnosing and resolving complex infrastructure challenges.
• Experience applying automation, monitoring, and modern operational practices to improve system reliability and efficiency.
• Demonstrated ability to guide teams, build consensus, and drive…